The Truth About Gel Manicures -- Plus, Shellac, a New (Safer) Option

A nail polish that doesn't chip is basically the Holy Grail of mani-pedis -- and the $6 billion nail salon industry claims to have found it in a gel.

Over the last couple of years, the gel manicure has grown in popularity: Two-thirds of salons now offer the service, which is supposed to provide the long wear of an acrylic without the accompanying nail damage.

Still, mixed in with all the hype are complaints that gel nails do still chip, the polish can only be taken off by visiting a salon and drowning one's fingers in acetone, and horror of horrors, the color selection is lacking. Worse yet, they may cause serious nerve damage and infections. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is (a gel manicure).

The Cost of Resilient Nails

A post on the Consumer Reports blog in April may further deter would-be gel adoptees. Neurologist Orly Avitzur, a medical advisor for Consumer Reports who practices in New York, scared the bejeezus out of salon-goers with the story of one of her patients. After visiting several physicians who could find no explanation for the electric shock-like pain the patient felt along her forearm every time she put any pressure on her thumb, the patient turned up in Avitzur's clinic. After taking a patient history, Avitzur concluded that the patient's gel manicure had caused nerve damage.

"This is likely a rare occurrence," says Avitzur, "Still, I doubt the number of these cases is being tracked."

According to Avitzur, there are several points in the gel process that could be associated with health risks. Improper use or overuse of a nail file to prepare the nail for layers of gel can expose sensitive skin to chemicals or infection. Also, some salons may be mixing acrylic products with gel products or purchasing cheap gel products from manufacturers with little quality control. One particularly dangerous ingredient, a chemical called methyl methacrylate, can cause shortness of breath and irritate the eyes and skin.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned methyl methacrylate but they state on their website that "many nail products that contain potentially harmful ingredients are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed." The problem is that unlike prescription drugs and treatments, cosmetics and nail products do not have to undergo clinical trials before being sold on the market. Furthermore, nail salons are not required to list ingredients on labels unless the product is available for purchase. Salon-goers should be concerned if nail technicians can't answer questions about gel ingredients and if the liquids smell funny.

"This patient probably didn't have a true gel manicure," says Avitzur, "but I plan on avoiding them myself and would not recommend them to others at this point."

A Miniature Tanning Bed for Hands

Gel manicures also require drying with an ultra-violet, or UV, lamp in between each coat and at the end to set the gel. The ultra-violet light used in tanning beds has been associated with increased skin cancer risk, but is there a risk with gel manicures?

"Most cancers on the hands are found in people with extensive sun exposure," says Zoe Draelos, a dermatologist in High Point, North Carolina, "It's the cumulative lifetime exposure to UV light that is the risk."

A case study by Austin-based University of Texas researchers in the "Archives of Dermatology" in April 2009 reported that two women developed non-melanoma skin cancer - cancer that occurs in the outer layer of the skin - on the tops of their hands from exposure to nail lamps. Both women were middle-aged, otherwise healthy, and had no cancer history. This does not prove that UV nail lamps definitely cause skin cancer; larger clinical studies will be necessary to determine a link.

Still, Draelos recommends using UV nail lamps in as limited a fashion as possible.

Another option may be to look for a salon that uses LED (light emitting diode) instead of UV dryers. This month, the New York City-based Shizuka salon began using LED dryers made by the Japanese company Nail Labo.

To Gel or Not to Gel
For those who have their hearts set on a gel manicure, but would rather avoid the potential risks of nerve pain, cancer and fungal infections, there may be an alternative. This spring, a company called CND announced the first 'hybrid' gel manicure. Called "Shellac," the hybrid is a marriage between gel and traditional nail polish that may be more nail-friendly.

The treatment is only available at salons, but does not require the same level of skill to apply as a gel. Moreover, the process of removing the polish minimizes exposure to acetone.

Regardless of what type of manicure is desired, Avitzur says, "at the very least women should choose a well-established salon with experienced and licensed techs."

Amber Angelle is a freelance writer in Brooklyn, NY who cares entirely too much about what her nails look like. 

How To Do A 30s-Style Moon Manicure

Back in the era of Deco and Depression and FDR, ladies who did paint their fingernails didn't generally paint their fingernails the whole way. Wouldn't you like to know their secrets?
As this excellent post on the (sadly, apparently now defunct) Art Deco blog The Painted Woman points out, "In the early-mid '30s, women usually only painted the center of the nail, leaving the half-moon cuticle and tips bare with the underside tinted with a nail-white pencil or cream." It's the "moon manicure": like a French manicure in reverse, in a bold color, without all the Jersey Shore associations of a pink-and-white French. (Yes, I will silently judge your tacky manicure. Bite me.)
What polish colors were popular in the '30s, you ask? According to the Painted Woman, "All reds — from rosy to deep crimson — were popular, of course. But it isn't true that 'they' didn't wear pink in the 30s. Pinks were very much seen, as were nice peachy-browns and tawny colors that looked nice with suntans (the concept of changing one's make-up according to the season was not unknown to 30s women). Cutex color choices in 1932 were Natural, Rose, Coral, Cardinal, and Colorless. Revlon colors introduced for the summer of 1935 included 'Sun Rose' and 'Chestnut.' Cutex named the 'smartest colors' for 1936 as Rose, Ruby, and Rust...wild colors such as green, blue, black, and gold were indeed available."
Since the '30s heydey, versions of the moon manicure have turned up on the runway and on the nails of those cool, effortlessly vintage-y girls I try not to feel overwhelmingly envious of on sight. This manicure is a little fiddly to achieve, but with a bit of patience, I got my moons down. Also, can I have that evening gown on the right? Thanks!

You're going to need: hole reinforcers (you can use actual French manicure stick-on guides, but hole reinforcers from a stationery shop are good and cheap); a base coat of your choice (I use Nail Envy by OPI, an allegedly "strengthening" and "nourishing" base coat, more out of superstition/the conviction that at least it is not maybe hurting my nails than out of any firm belief in its effectiveness); two colors of polish; and a top coat of your choice (Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in my case, your mileage mary vary); and polish remover.

First, prep for your manicure. The steps that come before the first stroke of base coat go a long way to determining the durability of your polish. Soak your hands and scrub any dead skin away. Tidy up your cuticles, then clean, trim, and shape your nails. While this manicure looks awesome with long, pointy old-fashioned style nails, keeping your nails short decreases the likelihood of your polish chipping. Do not apply any products containing oil to your skin or nails prior to your manicure. Wait, I hear you saying, 'But...but...Jenna, polish can strip your nails of moisture, and healthy nails=moisturized nails! How can I moisturize my nails between drying manicures without, um, moisturizer?' Here's what I do, when I can be bothered to remember: I remove my old polish at night (most of the time I peel it off, I don't even use remover, I'm so bad, bite me x2). Then I rub gobs of castor oil all over my nails and cuticles, put socks over my hands, laugh at my mitt-hands, pour a drink, laugh at myself trying to drink the drink with my pathetic mitt-hands, think highly original thoughts about Edward-Scissorhands, watch some Netflix, forget about everything else, and fall asleep. Next morning, I remove the socks; no more mitt-hands. Whenever I get around to painting my nails, my hands are moisturized, and I wash any residual oil off with soap and water. Oil, if present, will interfere with the adherence of the polish to your nail, causing chips. I believe this to be true because my cousin, who does nails to put herself through college, says so. She's 19 and a full-time student and the manager of the salon where she works, she knows from nails, okay. (Hi cousin!)
Now for the actual nail painting: Apply your base coat. And then apply the color you want your "moons" to be, over the bottoms of your nails like so. I opted to use an ancient Estée Lauder pearly pink I think my mum got free with a lipstick eons ago. I had never up until this point used it for anything other than stopping up runs in my stockings.

While your polish is drying, trim your hole reinforcers into narrower curves. (I mean, this step is optional, but I think having moons that are scaled to the width of your individual nails makes sense, aesthetically.) When your polish is completely dry, apply the hole reinforcers to each nail. A good guide for moon depth is to have the edge of the center hole hit right at your cuticle.

Then apply your main polish color. I went for a burgundy shade by Essie. I chose not to leave the tip-stripes that some true '30s ladies had. You do you. Now, I'll be completely honest: the hole reinforcers did not work for me exactly as I'd hoped. I had some issues with incomplete reinforcer-adherence, which led to some unfortunate seepage of the burgundy onto the moons. I used remover on a Q-tip to clean up, and lightly re-applied the pearl polish in a few instances. If you have a steady hand, you could forgo guides, and paint the curves of your moons freehand. Two more tips for a lasting manicure, again courtesy of my cousin: use the freshest polish you can, because nail polishes are full of volatile chemicals that begin evaporating as soon as the bottle is opened, changing the characteristics of the polish inside. (You cannot, contrary to rumor, restore an old, thickened bottle of polish to health by adding a few drops of remover to it, although they do sell nail polish refresher solutions at beauty-supply stores. Never experimented with any of 'em myself.) And two: leave your thumbs 'til last. That way you can use your thumbnails to clean up polish mistakes on your opposite hand, improving your application immensely. And an even application is an even manicure is a long-lasting manicure.

And then, when you're all done with the rest of your manicure, do your thumbs. Ta-da.

Apply your top coat, let it dry, rub some oil or moisturizer into your cuticles, and voilà. I thought these colors looked cool against a dusty rose pink dress, since that's a very '30s color. (At least, the dress is dusty rose when not photographed in full evening sunlight.) Now go enjoy the compliments you'll get on your eye-catching manicure.

How to Give Yourself a Manicure & the Secrets to Gorgeous Nails

People notice your manicure. It's a fact of life I try to remember at all times because if I'm not careful I'll end up with fingernails at 5 different lengths and a hangnail or two. Here, I share 30 of my most favorite manicure (and pedicure) tips. Enjoy!

How to Give Yourself a Mani and Pedi

Why spend money on a new manicure every few weeks when you can do it yourself. Below I give you all my favorite tips and tricks for getting the perfect at-home manicure.

  For step-by-step instructions on how to give yourself a manicure, click here. Also check out How to Give Yourself a Pedicure.

1. The most flattering nail shape is not long or short or square, it's "squoval" -- not quite square and not quite oval. Get the look yourself by filing nails into a shape that mirrors the curve of your nail base. Square tips can make fingers look chubby, according to nail guru Deborah Lippmann in InStyle Magazine.
2. To ensure your nails are the same length after filing, line each nail up with its counterpart.
3. Don't shake the nail polish bottle, instead roll it between your palms. This mixes the polish without causing air bubbles.
4. Before polishing clean nails, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and swipe across nails. This will remove any excess oils or soap than can cause peeling once polish is applied.
5. One trick for applying nail polish: Hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger while resting your forefinger on the top of the cap.
6. To get the best results, apply thin layers. Start with a thin layer of basecoat, then apply a thin layer of polish down the middle then one on the left and one on the right. After the first coat dries for a couple minutes, repeat, then follow with a thin layer of topcoat.
7. Once your pedicure or manicure is complete, run an orangewood stick dipped in nail polish remover along either side of nail to fix any mistakes.
8. Speed up the drying process by aiming a blow-dryer at toes (set on cool) for a minute at a time. Be sure to keep the dryer at least 12 inches from your feet.
9. Gotta leave the house before your pedicure is dry? Apply cuticle oil over the polish. This will keep anything from sticking to your polish. See my list of the best cuticle creams.
10. Stained nails? Remove the yellow easily by following the directions in How to Get Rid of Nail Stains.
11. For an extra spa feeling to your home pedicure, nuke a damp towel in the microwave for a couple minutes, slather feet in moisturizer and wrap them in the warm towel. 
12.  It's my professional opinion that real nails are much classier than fakes. They are also much better for your nail health. So check out these 5 really, really tacky manicure trends and skip the fakes.
13. If you are super-paranoid about germs in nail salons, you can bring along your own tools for your manicure.
14. Cut the cuticle or not? Ji Baek, owner of the Rescue Beauty Lounges in New York City, recommends people not cut their own cuticles.
The cuticle is there to protect the nail bed and a cut on a nail can easily become infected. Instead, push the cuticle back with an orangewood stick covered in a cotton ball. According to Baek, professionals are trained in cuticle cutting so most can be trusted. If you are paranoid (manicurists have accidentally cut into my skin one too many times for me), simply ask them not to cut.

15. Like the look of clean, nude nails? Skip the polish and ask for a buffing or buff your own nails with a good buffer. Buffing removes ridges and creates a high shine that clear polish tries to emulate. About 30 percent of Baek's clients ask for a buffing over polish. "Fashion editors have it done before they go to shows in Europe," says Baek in InStyle Magazine.
16. Skip the fast-drying topcoat unless you are in a hurry. Salons like to charge an extra dollar or two on this gimmick. While these coats do dry faster, they are more susceptible to chipping.

Protecting Your Manicure

1. A fresh swipe of topcoat every other day on your manicure and once a week on your pedicure will keep the polish from chipping. Check out 8 Secrets to Making Your Manicure Last Longer.
2. When it comes to chipped polish, a nail buffer is your best friend. Repair a chip by smoothing the ragged edges with a buffer (the more smooth the chip is, the better the fix is). Fill in the chip with polish. Once it's dry, apply a coat over the entire nail.
3. Don't file nails after a shower, when they are too soft. File in one direction only to prevent tears.
4. For a pedicure, use a special pedicure nail clipper made for clipping toenails. The straight-edge works better for feet because they don't allow nails to become curved, which can lead to painful ingrown nails (been there, done that). You can round the edges slightly with a file.
5. Since cotton balls can leave behind fuzzies, consider a cotton band like Miss Webril (about $6 at beauty stores) instead. For stubborn polish that stains, press the cotton on the nail for several seconds before wiping off. Don't be stingy with the polish remover, says Baek in InStyle magazine. The more nail remover you have on the cotton, the easier it will be to remove.
6. Protect a manicure by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning and gardening.
7. If you suffer from dry cuticles, keep cuticle oil in your bag or on your desk at all times. Cuticle oils tend to be more effective than creams.
8. Nail-biter? Get a manicure every week for 12 weeks. According to Baek in "Confessions of a Beauty Editor," if you can commit to 12 weeks, you won't bite your nails. It tastes gross and you'll also think twice because of the cost of getting nails done. Baek says many women backslide in week 3, but she suggests persevering.

Pedicures: The Secret to Super-Soft Feet

1. Keep dead skin at bay by regularly exfoliating in the shower with a pumice stone. Apply a thick lotion or cream (I love Eucerin's Aquaphor) to feet then wear socks to bed.
2. For extra soft feet, try this trick from "Confessions of a Beauty Editor,": Apply a thick coat of diaper rash cream to feet (yes, that's what they meant), put feet in a thin plastic bag, then put socks over it. If you can sleep like that (there is no way I could without ending up with sheets full of diaper rash goo), then you are guaranteed the softest feet ever in the morning.
3. Don't grow out nails more than an eighth to a quarter inch past the tips of your fingers, according to "Confessions of a Beauty Editor." Anything longer is verging on tacky. 2. In her book, "How Not to Look Old," Charla Krupp says nothing ages you more than red nail polish, fake nails and bad French manicures (too-white polish and an edge that's not thin). She suggests keeping the fun, crazy colors on your feet and keeping your fingernails neutral.
   3. In "Confessions of a Beauty Editor" the beauty editors confess to lazy pedicures. They wait until nighttime to paint on a basecoat, then follow with 2 thin coats of polish and another thin coat of topcoat and <i>they don't bother to keep polish within the lines.</i> In the morning shower, they reach down and scrape off the excess. They swear it works. I'm too lazy to do my own pedicures so I've never tried it. I'd rather pay a professional.

The Truth About Gel Manicures -- Plus, Shellac, a New (Safer) Option

A nail polish that doesn't chip is basically the Holy Grail of mani-pedis -- and the $6 billion nail salon industry claims to have found it in a gel.

Over the last couple of years, the gel manicure has grown in popularity: Two-thirds of salons now offer the service, which is supposed to provide the long wear of an acrylic without the accompanying nail damage.

Still, mixed in with all the hype are complaints that gel nails do still chip, the polish can only be taken off by visiting a salon and drowning one's fingers in acetone, and horror of horrors, the color selection is lacking. Worse yet, they may cause serious nerve damage and infections. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is (a gel manicure).

The Cost of Resilient Nails

A post on the Consumer Reports blog in April may further deter would-be gel adoptees. Neurologist Orly Avitzur, a medical advisor for Consumer Reports who practices in New York, scared the bejeezus out of salon-goers with the story of one of her patients. After visiting several physicians who could find no explanation for the electric shock-like pain the patient felt along her forearm every time she put any pressure on her thumb, the patient turned up in Avitzur's clinic. After taking a patient history, Avitzur concluded that the patient's gel manicure had caused nerve damage.

"This is likely a rare occurrence," says Avitzur, "Still, I doubt the number of these cases is being tracked."

According to Avitzur, there are several points in the gel process that could be associated with health risks. Improper use or overuse of a nail file to prepare the nail for layers of gel can expose sensitive skin to chemicals or infection. Also, some salons may be mixing acrylic products with gel products or purchasing cheap gel products from manufacturers with little quality control. One particularly dangerous ingredient, a chemical called methyl methacrylate, can cause shortness of breath and irritate the eyes and skin. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned methyl methacrylate but they state on their website that "many nail products that contain potentially harmful ingredients are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed." The problem is that unlike prescription drugs and treatments, cosmetics and nail products do not have to undergo clinical trials before being sold on the market. Furthermore, nail salons are not required to list ingredients on labels unless the product is available for purchase. Salon-goers should be concerned if nail technicians can't answer questions about gel ingredients and if the liquids smell funny.

"This patient probably didn't have a true gel manicure," says Avitzur, "but I plan on avoiding them myself and would not recommend them to others at this point."

A Miniature Tanning Bed for Hands

Gel manicures also require drying with an ultra-violet, or UV, lamp in between each coat and at the end to set the gel. The ultra-violet light used in tanning beds has been associated with increased skin cancer risk, but is there a risk with gel manicures?

"Most cancers on the hands are found in people with extensive sun exposure," says Zoe Draelos, a dermatologist in High Point, North Carolina, "It's the cumulative lifetime exposure to UV light that is the risk."

A case study by Austin-based University of Texas researchers in the "Archives of Dermatology" in April 2009 reported that two women developed non-melanoma skin cancer - cancer that occurs in the outer layer of the skin - on the tops of their hands from exposure to nail lamps. Both women were middle-aged, otherwise healthy, and had no cancer history. This does not prove that UV nail lamps definitely cause skin cancer; larger clinical studies will be necessary to determine a link.

Still, Draelos recommends using UV nail lamps in as limited a fashion as possible.

Another option may be to look for a salon that uses LED (light emitting diode) instead of UV dryers. This month, the New York City-based Shizuka salon began using LED dryers made by the Japanese company Nail Labo.

To Gel or Not to Gel
For those who have their hearts set on a gel manicure, but would rather avoid the potential risks of nerve pain, cancer and fungal infections, there may be an alternative. This spring, a company called CND announced the first 'hybrid' gel manicure. Called "Shellac," the hybrid is a marriage between gel and traditional nail polish that may be more nail-friendly.

The treatment is only available at salons, but does not require the same level of skill to apply as a gel. Moreover, the process of removing the polish minimizes exposure to acetone.

Regardless of what type of manicure is desired, Avitzur says, "at the very least women should choose a well-established salon with experienced and licensed techs."

Amber Angelle is a freelance writer in Brooklyn, NY who cares entirely too much about what her nails look like. 

Manicure Basics

30 Manicure Tips

People notice your manicure. It's a fact of life I try to remember at all times because if I'm not careful I'll end up with fingernails at 5 different lengths and a hangnail or two. Here, I share 30 of my most favorite manicure (and pedicure) tips. Enjoy!

How to Give Yourself a Mani and Pedi

Why spend money on a new manicure every few weeks when you can do it yourself. Below I give you all my favorite tips and tricks for getting the perfect at-home manicure.

For step-by-step instructions on how to give yourself a manicure, click here. Also check out How to Give Yourself a Pedicure.

1. The most flattering nail shape is not long or short or square, it's "squoval" -- not quite square and not quite oval. Get the look yourself by filing nails into a shape that mirrors the curve of your nail base. Square tips can make fingers look chubby, according to nail guru Deborah Lippmann in InStyle Magazine.
2. To ensure your nails are the same length after filing, line each nail up with its counterpart.
3. Don't shake the nail polish bottle, instead roll it between your palms. This mixes the polish without causing air bubbles.
4. Before polishing clean nails, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover and swipe across nails. This will remove any excess oils or soap than can cause peeling once polish is applied.
5. One trick for applying nail polish: Hold the brush between the thumb and middle finger while resting your forefinger on the top of the cap.
6. To get the best results, apply thin layers. Start with a thin layer of basecoat, then apply a thin layer of polish down the middle then one on the left and one on the right. After the first coat dries for a couple minutes, repeat, then follow with a thin layer of topcoat.
7. Once your pedicure or manicure is complete, run an orangewood stick dipped in nail polish remover along either side of nail to fix any mistakes.
8. Speed up the drying process by aiming a blow-dryer at toes (set on cool) for a minute at a time. Be sure to keep the dryer at least 12 inches from your feet.
9. Gotta leave the house before your pedicure is dry? Apply cuticle oil over the polish. This will keep anything from sticking to your polish. See my list of the best cuticle creams.
10. Stained nails? Remove the yellow easily by following the directions in How to Get Rid of Nail Stains.
11. For an extra spa feeling to your home pedicure, nuke a damp towel in the microwave for a couple minutes, slather feet in moisturizer and wrap them in the warm towel.

Manicures at the Salon

1. It's my professional opinion that real nails are much classier than fakes. They are also much better for your nail health. So check out these 5 really, really tacky manicure trends and skip the fakes.
2. If you are super-paranoid about germs in nail salons, you can bring along your own tools for your manicure.
3. Cut the cuticle or not? Ji Baek, owner of the Rescue Beauty Lounges in New York City, recommends people not cut their own cuticles.
The cuticle is there to protect the nail bed and a cut on a nail can easily become infected. Instead, push the cuticle back with an orangewood stick covered in a cotton ball. According to Baek, professionals are trained in cuticle cutting so most can be trusted. If you are paranoid (manicurists have accidentally cut into my skin one too many times for me), simply ask them not to cut.
4. Like the look of clean, nude nails? Skip the polish and ask for a buffing or buff your own nails with a good buffer. Buffing removes ridges and creates a high shine that clear polish tries to emulate. About 30 percent of Baek's clients ask for a buffing over polish. "Fashion editors have it done before they go to shows in Europe," says Baek in InStyle Magazine.
5. Skip the fast-drying topcoat unless you are in a hurry. Salons like to charge an extra dollar or two on this gimmick. While these coats do dry faster, they are more susceptible to chipping.

Protecting Your Manicure

1. A fresh swipe of topcoat every other day on your manicure and once a week on your pedicure will keep the polish from chipping. Check out 8 Secrets to Making Your Manicure Last Longer.
2. When it comes to chipped polish, a nail buffer is your best friend. Repair a chip by smoothing the ragged edges with a buffer (the more smooth the chip is, the better the fix is). Fill in the chip with polish. Once it's dry, apply a coat over the entire nail.
3. Don't file nails after a shower, when they are too soft. File in one direction only to prevent tears.
4. For a pedicure, use a special pedicure nail clipper made for clipping toenails. The straight-edge works better for feet because they don't allow nails to become curved, which can lead to painful ingrown nails (been there, done that). You can round the edges slightly with a file.
5. Since cotton balls can leave behind fuzzies, consider a cotton band like Miss Webril (about $6 at beauty stores) instead. For stubborn polish that stains, press the cotton on the nail for several seconds before wiping off. Don't be stingy with the polish remover, says Baek in InStyle magazine. The more nail remover you have on the cotton, the easier it will be to remove.
6. Protect a manicure by wearing rubber gloves when cleaning and gardening.
7. If you suffer from dry cuticles, keep cuticle oil in your bag or on your desk at all times. Cuticle oils tend to be more effective than creams.
8. Nail-biter? Get a manicure every week for 12 weeks. According to Baek in "Confessions of a Beauty Editor," if you can commit to 12 weeks, you won't bite your nails. It tastes gross and you'll also think twice because of the cost of getting nails done. Baek says many women backslide in week 3, but she suggests persevering.

Pedicures: The Secret to Super-Soft Feet

1. Keep dead skin at bay by regularly exfoliating in the shower with a pumice stone. Apply a thick lotion or cream (I love Eucerin's Aquaphor) to feet then wear socks to bed.
2. For extra soft feet, try this trick from "Confessions of a Beauty Editor,": Apply a thick coat of diaper rash cream to feet (yes, that's what they meant), put feet in a thin plastic bag, then put socks over it. If you can sleep like that (there is no way I could without ending up with sheets full of diaper rash goo), then you are guaranteed the softest feet ever in the morning.
3. 1. Don't grow out nails more than an eighth to a quarter inch past the tips of your fingers, according to "Confessions of a Beauty Editor." Anything longer is verging on tacky.
   2. In her book, "How Not to Look Old," Charla Krupp says nothing ages you more than red nail polish, fake nails and bad French manicures (too-white polish and an edge that's not thin). She suggests keeping the fun, crazy colors on your feet and keeping your fingernails neutral.
   3. In "Confessions of a Beauty Editor" the beauty editors confess to lazy pedicures. They wait until nighttime to paint on a basecoat, then follow with 2 thin coats of polish and another thin coat of topcoat and <i>they don't bother to keep polish within the lines.</i> In the morning shower, they reach down and scrape off the excess. They swear it works. I'm too lazy to do my own pedicures so I've never tried it. I'd rather pay a professional.

A simple french tip is a girl's best friend. Sometimes a lady just needs a quick nail fix, something simple and elegant she can do in 5 minutes before she leaves the house for everyday, or even for an evening out on the town. That's why I decided to do a French Tip manicure tutorial - Hope you ladies enjoy it!

Advertising Your Nail Salon

Internet, Print, Business Cards, Loyalty Programs and More

Opening up a salon or taking over management is not going to magically drive traffic to it. Creating a very expensive, new website also doesn't promise viewers to the site either. If you need to get your name out there and get it fast, there are a lot of advertising techniques that can be utilized and some for a very low cost.

Doing specials and drops in price might spike your customer intake but sometimes you lose money and the customers you were attracting are bargain hunters and are already looking for the next penny to pinch.
These upcoming advertising strategies will help build a loyal patronage that is willing to spend a little bit extra for a better quality salon!
- Business cards: Of course business cards is something everybody thinks of and all business should have; when it comes to business cards that function as a viral campaign you know you have done something right.The connotation of business cards is that they must have a name, number, email, address, and all of that fun stuff…there's no rule that says you can't have a beautiful picture of your salon on one side and the address and phone number on the other. Creating a card that fits in a wallet with your salon name and location with a member rewards program on the back will certainly help bring in the customers.
Be creative…people respond well to something that shows effort and the money you are willing to spend to earn their business. Once the cards are finished there are so many things you can do with them, go to other businesses in your industry, tanning salons, massage parlors…and such and ask if you can leave some business cards there for their clients and you can take some of their business cards to do the same. Also pass your cards out to everyone you meet, it's a great way for your business to travel person to person and if you think they are going to throw it away tell them to give it to someone and mention you and give them a discount.
- Post cards: Some customers are walk-ins you may never see again and some customers provide a steady clientele. For those customers that walk-in and then walk away, get their business back by sending post cards. When a client checks in, ask if they have an email address or mailing address and if they would be interested in receiving a Thank You/Discount/Member Rewards Card from you. You can also give the customer the post card as they exit the salon to keep. Next time they think of getting their nails done they'll think of you.
- Charity functions: Talk to people in the community, look online, or read newspapers to find out what charitable events are going on near where your salon is. Contact the charity or event coordinator and tell them you are interested in donating your services or would like to help sponsor something in their event. Not only are you reaching out to the community, but you can also promote your salon as a salon that cares about the community.
- Member rewards: It has been mentioned previously and you're probably most familiar with this idea relating to coffee or sandwich places but a member rewards program is a really helpful tool for businesses. To build a member database, you can ask for emails when your clients sign in and give them a card that has certain treatments they can get until they reach a free manicure or any service you would like to give away. If your clients are uncomfortable giving away their email address you can always create the punch cards and you'll see customers returning to earn their way to their free service!
- Cost-effective advertising: The internet is really a playground for businesses; there are so many sites and so many potential customers it's hard to find a place where you can't find a fit for advertising. Print advertising is not a cheap way to get your name out there and most times is ignored by the general public.
Advertising online is half the cost and multiple the viewers…if you find a site you're comfortable with or a site where you think your clientele goes to first DO NOT hesitate to call that company and see what their advertising options are. You can easily compare quality, pricing, and clientele so don't be afraid to shop around!
These are just some of the ways you can get your name out there. Nothing is more attractive to clients than a business that can think outside the box and reach them on a different level; they'll be impressed!

Nail Technician Licenses

How to become a nail technician

Each state sets it owns requirements and guidelines for certification and licensing of nail technicians. Some states require a minimal amount of course hours, some have strict guidelines, and some may count apprenticeship hours towards your total number of course hours. On average, most states will require between 300 to 600 hours of schooling. It is important to talk with the State Board that governs your area to find out exactly what is required of you. This way you will know what you are in for and whether or not you are ready for the commitment.

Make sure that the school you are attending is accredited by your state board and will accept your course hours. You may be required to submit an application and fee to receive your state license. There may be age and high school education requirements. Your license is only valid in the state that you received your license from and if you move to a different state you will be subject to their rules and guidelines of certification. In addition, most states require you to receive a minimum number of continuing education hours each year to maintain your license.
To see the license requirements for nail technicians in your state then select a state below:

Why Get A Manicure?

First impressions count

Sometimes you bow, sometimes you kiss twice, but in America it's standard for a greeting to begin with a handshake. The very first impression and touch when meeting someone can involve a person's hand; dirty hands, gnarled nails, manicured nails, and clean, soft hands can all give off certain impressions about a person.

For those who bite their nails getting a manicure and an artificial set of nails is a good way to quit the habit. For nails that break easily the more they are maintained and manicured the stronger the nail becomes avoiding more breakage.
While manicures are meant to protect and care for fingernails manicures also treat the hand and skin. Often time's salons & spas will massage lotion onto the hands during a manicure and treat the skin to maintain the softness and hydration that skin needs.
Don't let the stigma of manicures ruin it for men. For thousands of years men have been getting manicures; before battle they got manicures to match their war paint. Whether a manicure is to put artificial nails on, file and paint natural nails, or just to nurture the hand and nails a manicure is always a good way to show your body you care.

A healthy diet brings healthy nails

Minerals Make the Difference

Do you have weak or unhealthy nails? An obvious reason may be your diet. You may not be getting enough of the right minerals. For example, iron is one of the important ingredients in a diet for strong nails. Have you ever noticed vertical ridges forming on your nails? This generally means that you have an iron insufficiency. Good foods to add to your system that are rich in iron would be whole grains and prunes. A big bowl of whole grain cereal would be a great choice to add to your daily diet.

Protein can also be a major factor of nail health. Do you have nails that you can't seem to grow because they're always breaking? This means you need more protein. Food suggestions to enhance the amount of protein you take in would be any sorts of meats and cheeses. Possibly an even better source would be from vegetarian meat products. These have less saturated fat, so they are better for you. Also consider types of beans to help get the amount of protein you need.
Calcium and zinc are two other minerals your need for strong nails. Calcium helps quicken the growth of your nails. Besides the typical glass of milk, you can also find calcium in certain fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli, and oranges. Have you ever found little white dots on your finger nails and not known where they came from? You may want to take a look at the amount of zinc you have in your diet. You can find an incredible amount of zinc in oysters, but still find a good amount in eggs and parmesan cheese.

Manicure Process

Learn How Nail Techs Perform a Manicure

In most beauty salons and spas the process of getting a manicure stays the same. Depending on what type of manicure is chosen depends on the process that will be followed.

The first step when administering a manicure is to remove any traces of previous nail polish. This is done by polish remover and a cotton ball or other substance that is able to hold the liquid and stays durable enough to not fall apart on the nail. In most nail polish removers the organic compound, Acetone is used. Acetone is extremely flammable and the polish remover should be kept in a place where there is a low chance of a spark or fire. If the nail polish is stubborn and won't come off the nail, don't worry, nail polish remover can be reapplied as much as needed until the old polish has disappeared.
Once your nails are polish free a nail file is used to shorten, shape, and smooth the rough edges of the nail. Nail files come in all different colors, types of material, and different levels of strength. An emery board is a nail file that is less abrasive than others which takes the nail longer to file and shape but is very good for slight touch ups or fixes. Emery boards are also disposable after use unlike metal nail files; metal nail files can come as very abrasive and are great for intense filing and shaping. Glass files are also available but a little harder to find in stores; they are good for shaping and fixing the edges of nails due to the fact they don't chip or splinter the nail.
After the nails are filed and shaped cuticle softener can be applied directly to the cuticles to temper the rough skin. Cuticle Softener can sting a little on cuticles that are damaged but can be very effective to help repair and rejuvenate the skin. Soft cuticles help the process of cuticle clipping and maintenance. Cuticle clipping is done by small scissors.

Acrylic Nails Effect on Natural Nails

Allergic reactions and nail safety

Most acrylic nails are safe and your natural nails won't be harmed. Some natural nails will have a discoloration on a very small level but the nails are still healthy. When acrylic nails are removed the natural nails may be coarse and ridged due to the process of applying the acrylic nails and the growth of the natural nail underneath.

Very rarely is there an allergic reaction to the ingredients used for acrylic nails. If you have a tendency to experience allergic reactions consult with the nail technician or beauty salon with the included ingredients prior to receiving service. If you experience some peeling around your nails, your nails are overly itchy, and redness an allergic reaction might have occurred so don't hesitiate to consult with your doctor.
A nail infection is cause for concern; infections most commonly occur when moisture is present in-between the acrylic nail and the natural nail. Bacteria can grow from the moisture between the nails creating an environment for fungi as well. Natural nails that are overly thickened and discolored should immediately be evaluated by your dermatologist.
Applying acrylic nails can also lead to infections if the tools used are not properly taken care of. Always check that your nail technician is licensed and be sure to ask a lot of questions if somewhere in the application process you are nervous or unsure of what is going on. No matter what, always make sure you are going to a nail salon that has the proper licenses and procedures to avoid any future damage or infection to your natural nails.

Tips for A Healthy Manicure

Tips for A Healthy Manicure

Image is important to many people we spend a lot of money on things that improve our personal image. We invest in many things, anywhere from designer clothing to Lipozene for weight loss purposes. Manicures are a popular way for people to treat themselves and manicurists are a great way to have professionally done nails. Some people even do it themselves. A lot of people aren’t aware of the various side affects of getting a manicure. There have been many reports in recent years of women developing nail fungus or bacterial infections that can look really bad and feel even worse. There are steps women can take towards ensuring that they don’t get a painful infection or disease from poor manicure practices.

Do A Little Research:
If you’re thinking about getting your nails done professionally then you should check out salon first. Look around and see if it appears clean and sanitary. See if the manicure tables are clean and kept neat and tidy. Also see if the floor is clean and clear of debris.
Ask For Proper Safety Equipment:
If you’re getting your nails done, ask the manicurist to wear gloves. This can cut down greatly on the chances of infection and getting any fungus under your skin or nails. Bring Your Own Nail Polish:
You may not be aware but many salons will allow you to bring your own nail polish. This can ensure, not only the perfect color match you’re looking for, that a polish or brush that hasn’t been sued by somebody else. You want to make sure that a bottle of nail polish has only touched your hands and not somebody else’s’. Aside from this, you can be sure that the polish you bring is free from toxins that may have harmful components for your skin or nails.
Give Yourself Time In-between Manicures:
If you get your nails done too often this can strip your nails and harm your cuticles. It’s best to wait at least two weeks between manicures. It all depends on how much you work with your hands and the kinds of materials you’re using on your nails.
Care2.com is another a web site that offers some more natural tips on maintaining the health of your nails in between visits. They also have some natural tips for making sure the solvents and polishes you are using are not toxic to your skin. Follow some of these bits of advice to ensure the health of your hands because if proper measures aren’t taken you could do severe damage to your skin and cuticles that could take months to heal on top of being embarrassing to the eye.

The American Manicure

American manicures at a nail salon or at home

What makes a manicure American? With subtle tones and pale colors the American Manicure give nails a natural, soft look. Deviating from the French Manicure the American Manicure has the white tip of the nail painted first with the neutral tone painted over the entire nail. This manicure can be done at home or in a salon and spa. The American Manicure is also easy to fix if the manicure were to chip or need to be recoated.

Purchasing a professional American Manicure will most often include a hand massage, cuticle care, and other nail care services to maintain the quality of the nails and hands.
American Manicures can be done at home by purchasing an American Manicure kit located at your local drug store or beauty salon outlet. An opaque white or light color of nail polish and a neutral pink tone can be purchased in place of an American Manicure kit. For optimal results cuticle cutters, a good emery board, and deep moisturizing lotion will give the at-home manicure a look of professional caliber.
After the nails have soaked in warm water and the nail is free from any polish it can be filed and shaped into the desired look. Once the nail is ready for painting a base coat will prep the nail to sustain the top coat of color for a longer period. Once the base coat is completed a stencil or similar device can be used as a frame to help outline the opaque white or light color of nail polish for defining the tip. After the nail tips are finished the layer of pale pink or neutral tone nail polish is applied to give the tips a muted, natural look. To finish the manicure and keep the nail polish intact a top coat of clear nail polish is suggested to also strengthen the nails. After the old nail polish has been removed and before the new coats are applied professional salons and spas will take the time to massage the hands with moisturizing lotion and care for the cuticles. However it is done the American Manicure give nails a beautiful, sophisticated look that will never go out of style.

French Manicure

How to Achieve the Classic French Manicure

You don't have to be French to achieve the ever classic French Manicure. Beginning in the 20th century French Manicures started appearing in French salons and grew in popularity. Once the French Manicure hit the US female celebrities were amongst the first to sport the new style; by the 1930's beauty salons and spas across the nation made French Manicures available as a service.

Bright white tipped nails with a light pink or neutral color covering the rest of the nail was the same style in the 20th century as it is today. Through the years of economic trouble and the growing popularity of manicures, at-home kits and do-it-yourself instructions made French Manicures available to anyone without the need of a salon or spa.
In most cases a French Manicure is difficult to accomplish at home because the white tips of the nails are difficult to make the same length and thickness. Salons and spas have professional utensils to form the white tip with nail polish or airbrush to achieve the uniform look.
The French Manicure begins with soaking each hand in warm water softening the cuticles and nails for easier maintenance. Once the hands and nails have been soaked and all remaining nail polish has been removed the nails are filed to the chosen length and shaped for the appropriate look. A base coat of polish is painted on the nails before the pale pink or neutral nail polish is applied. When the pale pink or neutral color has been applied the white tips are then shaped and painted. A top clear coat of nail polish is used to finish off the nail and protect the other polish from chipping. During the manicure process salons and spas will nurse the cuticles removing extra, unneeded parts of the cuticle and massage the hands to keep them hydrated.
Department stores, salons and spas, and drug stores all carry French Manicure kits that will have the essential tools and polish to accomplish the perfect French Manicure from home. White, opaque nail polish and light pink or neutral nail polish are the basic necessities when doing a French Manicure. To get more in-depth a stencil for the white tips, cuticle cutters to maintain the cuticles, and clear nail polish for the top coat will give the French Manicure a clean, finished look.

Manicure Quick Fixes

Quick Fixes for Nail Emergencies

Whether you have your nails done professionally or you take care of them yourself, the time always comes where you have a nail emergency. Fixing your nail on the spot will lessen the damage and get you back to looking good. You should keep a small file or nail clippers in your purse so that you are always prepared for a quick fix.

It has happened to all of us…You just polished your nails, they look perfect, and then you do the wrong thing and smudge one. This is actually very simple to fix and will not require you to redo the entire nail.  Just dip the pad of your finger into polish remover, dab it over the smudge, and try to buff it out. Let the nail dry completely, add another thin coat of polish, and then add the top coat.
Occasionally you may suffer from a break or a crack in the nail and you don't know how to fix it. This easy repair can be done with a tea bag and some nail glue. Clean the nail, removing any polish and shorten the nail so that there will be less pressure on it until it grows out. Gently file over the break to remove the shine. You want to roughen it up to help with the adhesion. Cut a small tea bag into a size that will stretch across the break and will cover the nail bed. This “band-aid” will cover the most vulnerable part of your nail and help it stay strong. Apply glue to your nail and gently place the pre-cut tea bag into place. Repeat this process twice allowing the glue to dry completely between applications. Once you have finished this process, add a top coat, or nail strengthener to seal the deal.